At 72, Dan Aykroyd Plans to 'Really Live' for His Children Now: 'I Want to Accomplish Their Happiness'

Speaking to PEOPLE about his latest project, the actor says he's focused on family — and gratitude

"If you had to say, 'How are you?' Well, I'm grateful," Dan Aykroyd tells PEOPLE. "That's my operative tenant right now. I am grateful, so grateful, for so many things."

The actor, 72, explores that feeling in his new Audible Original, Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, an oral history of the beloved 1980 film featuring interviews and memories from friends and costars including the late John Belushi.

Looking back on his career — which kicked off when he joined the Second City improv troupe before he moved on to SNL, Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters and a host of other major films — Aykroyd admits he didn't think he'd still be working now.

"I still have these two very active offices to manage: Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters," he says. "I thought I could retire five years ago, but it hasn't worked out that way. That's okay, that's fine," he continues. "I'm grateful for the privilege to keep going."

Related: Dan Aykroyd Reveals How He and John Belushi Changed Lorne Michaels' Mind After He 'Didn't Dig' the Blues Brothers

Off-screen, Aykroyd says his biggest focus right now is family.

"I want to make sure that my children are happy — I want to accomplish their happiness," he says. "I don't know how you do that, but I really live for them now."

Aykroyd shares three daughters — Danielle, 34, Belle, 31, and Stella, 26 — with actress Donna Dixon, from whom he separated in 2022. He currently lives with a partner who has two younger kids.

"That's been wonderful to see and have all five of them together," he shares. "When that happens, it's amazing."

However, the actor is fully aware that so much of parenthood is out of his control.

Related: Dan Aykroyd Defends Ghostbusters All-Female Reboot Starring Melissa McCarthy: ‘I Don’t Besmirch It at All’ (Exclusive)

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

"There's an expression, 'You're only as happy as your unhappiest child,' " he says. "I'm a control freak and of course I want to control their emotions, their reactions, whatever happens to them. But life is not like that, is it?"

However, "I'm proud of my children, very proud of them," he continues. "They turned out to be compassionate, really, really compassionate and centered human beings with the right view of humanity."

For more with Aykroyd, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands now.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.